Diagnostic Laparoscopy with Peritoneal Lavage in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: High Diagnostic Yield and Impact on Management

Diagnostic laparoscopy with peritoneal lavage in gastric adenocarcinoma has a high diagnostic yield, with 24.5% of patients having positive findings leading to exclusion from neoadjuvant treatment or surgical resection. Peritoneal metastases were identified in 10.3% of patients, with 12.5% having positive peritoneal cytology without macroscopic disease. Diffuse type carcinoma had the highest risk of peritoneal dissemination. Staging laparoscopy changes management in approximately one quarter of patients, highlighting its importance in guiding treatment decisions.